Subjective, I know, but...

[nick_danger]

I'm looking to replace the 6-speaker BA system in my car with 4 speakers (components count as one) that offer superb audio reproduction for frequencies between roughly 80Hz up to 20KHz (or more, regardless of what I can actually hear). There will be a powerful sub eventually, so bass response isn't a priority, but I don't like a lot of brightness, so I'd rather have more lows and mid than highs. Accuracy matters more to me than anything else...

I will be powering these four speakers off of my JL Audio 300/4 amp.

What are the best 6x9s OR 6.5" component speakers for my needs?

[SmoovC]

Subjective is the word, yes! Placement will play a key role in your decisions on speakers. If you are going to use the stock dash placement, then super bright tweeters might not be good; bouncing off all that glass. But then again, you might like it that way. (Back to that subjective thing!) I have always been partial to Infinity, good sound for a fair price, plus they offer hard dome and soft dome tweeters. I like a little more laid back sound than say, MB Quart or something with really rippin' highs. If it helps, my home speakers are NHT....

Good luck, & rock the wagon!

[Electrofied]

IMO 6x9 suck... I am getting rid of mine when I install the media center computer and crossover...

Go with a different type of speaker.... Just my $.02

E

[nick_danger]

IMO 6x9 suck... Go with a different type of speaker....

Such as...?
I'm going to see how well my 6x9 Pioneers respond to the new amp and also experiment with building enclosures for them (in the stock location) because these things are freaking amazing with the correct power/enclosure combination.

If they don't work, I definitely would like alternatives. I've been considering Diamond Audio 6x9s, JL Audio components, Alpine Type-R components, and the Infinity Kappa line.

I would also like to try replacing the Fdoor midbass speakers with new midbass woofers. I recall that someone on the forum once had a set of 8" Kickers installed... 6x9s, 6.5s, or 8s could all concievably work up there.

[henry]

Subjective topic, with subjective responses so here's my two cents:

6-1/2" round speakers are definitely the way to go. They are easier to design to have far lower distortion than 6x9 speakers. The reasons are that cone breakup (cone flex) is much more predictable in a round speaker and easier to control. If you want the best sound quality then round speakers are generally better built and better sounding for the price.
6x9s are a convenient way to increase the cone size (allowing for better efficiency and lower bass)

To my ears there's nothing better sounding than MB Quart components and Image Dynamics subwoofers. With high quality amplification you can get superb sound quality and all the low bass you want.
The only problem is that MB Quart don't only make one 3.5" component speaker for the dash and it's a lower end model. It could be fine but I haven't auditioned it. You should see if you can shoehorn an MBQuart 4" speaker in the dash.

Also in my humble opinion nothing beats good old fashioned Mosfet amplifiers. These amps sell for peanuts on Ebay. (things like old HiFonics, Rockford Fosgate, and PPI) To me they sound a lot better than most of the dreck out there now.

Happy shopping!
Henry

[nick_danger]

I was actually just looking at some MB Quart QSD216 components. The reviews of them seem to be phenomenal - they are bloody expensive after all - so I'll have to dig a bit more. I would rather not spend very much money, but two sets of those would definitely make me happy! I remember hearing a set of MBQs at a local high-end audio place and being extremely impressed. We'll see if I can squeeze any more cash out of my previous year taxes... :D

[henry]

You only need one set really.

The rears don't need something that good. The rear is for fill only, so go with a lower end line while still keeping them MB Quart. That way they'll have the same "voice" to the speaker.
Also, give the PCE-216 a listen. You'll be mighty impressed and your wallet will love you - they're about 1/2 the price and ahve 90% of the performance of the QSD-216.

[nick_danger]

Henry, you are quickly becoming my best friend... I just got done reading glowing reviews of the PCE-216. So how do you know so much 'bout these?

[henry]

'Cuz I use them. I've used nothing but MB Quart components and Image Dynamics subwoofers since 1995.

Give us the link to that review you just read.

[JamminWagon]

I too have used MBQ in the past, and absolutely love them. I am running Alpine "S" because in the beginning I was using the headunit to power them. I wish I would have stepped up to the "R" for a lil more power handling. Right now I have the MRF-M345 running 75X4 which works out pretty well until I go to sound comps. I go to the thought of having the peak poewr handling at 75% of the amps power. This means that I will have clean power, I have to turn the cutoff to 150hz and/or adjust the gain down to underpower them when I go to compete.

[robbyho]

May I recommend CDT speakers. They aren't in many stores, but you will find many reviews online. Whether you get the CL, EF, HD, or ES series, they are all a bargain for the price you pay. Highly recommended.

Rob

[Magnum-RT-AWD]

Go DIY(Do IT Yourself)-----like Vifa, Morel,ScanSpeak, or Dayton----check http:///www.madisound.com or http://www.partsexpress.com

[nick_danger]

Geez... you're getting me into a whole new world of trouble I don't need. DIY, eh? I have never heard of Vifa - aka Peeless Vline. So I just need to buy each midbass, crossover, and tweeter, and build my own component system... that's really kickass. How do they sound, though? I've never heard of them, let alone heard them... How do they stack up to MB Quart or something more conventional like the Alpine R-Type or JL XR650? My curiousity is piqued, man!

Concerning reviews, I didn't keep any links, just put the model number of any MB Quart speaker into Google and you'll probably come across a ton of the reviews I read.

[Magnum-RT-AWD]

Well---Vifa is the buildhouse of the X series Alpines at a fraction of the cost----ScansSpeak and SEAS are well known in high end car audio-----IMO they stomp all over this mass marketed crap that is out there now.

[nick_danger]

The tweaker/tinkerer in me is geeking out right now. So what do I need to buy to get started? I want to keep my JL 300/4 as the backbone for my components, so what should I get?

I'm thinking I'll start with these 6.5" woofers, but I'm not sure what else to get. I'm pretty sure I want soft-dome tweeters and even some 3.5" in between... What do I need to buy to tie all the speakers together?

6.5" Woofer: PL18WO09-04